Download Resource - Healthy Newborn Network

to an hour after delivery. The first three days milk is
considered to be healthy for the newborn.
“In the past it was said that the mother should
breastfeed the newborn after three days but now the
doctors advise us to give the first three days milk”
(FGD- Badal Bakus)
In DG Khan, the practice of wasting the “first
milk” i.e. first three days milk of mother is
prevalent noticeably. The reason given for this practice
was that mother’s milk for first three days is yellow and
polluted and that first milk causes constipation in newborn.
“Those mothers who deliver their babies at the
hospitals immediately feed their milk to the newborn,
however those who deliver at home do not feed their
newborn with their own milk” (FGD-Sakhi Sarwar)
“Narra (first milk) harms the newborn, that’s why it is
wasted as it causes constipation to the newborn” (FGD
Sakhi Sarwar)
“As the mothers blood is lost in large quantity (during
delivery) that she doesn’t not have milk, 3 days she
eats and gets nourished and then feeds the newborn”
(FGD-Sokar).
Some women in a rural area (Sarai Saleh) in Haripur said
that they do not give first three days milk because after
the delivery mother is given “Cheerh” (secretion of
phalai plant cooked with milk and egg) and if the baby is
breastfed the hot affect of cheerh also gets transferred to
the baby. Mother’s milk gets congested in the breath
path (bronchitis/sans ki nali) of the baby which is harmful.
Some women in Pishin, both from urban and rural
areas said that they or their elders consider the first
three days’ milk to be filthy and harmful for the newborn
due to which it is wasted. Instead, the newborn is given
other supplements such as goat’s milk, desi ghee or herbal
medicines.
“We give the milk after three days because the first
three days milk is dirty and shouldn’t be given” (FGD-
Faizabad)
“My MIL says that first three days milk is dirty and
filthy and can harm the baby, which is why we give the
milk after three days” (IDI, Mo- Batezai)
All LHWs and some daiyan reported that they advise for
giving the milk as early as 10 minutes to half an hour after
delivery as this milk is the most beneficial and increases the
immunity in the newborn.
“Mother’s milk should be given within 10 minutes of
delivery. It is very good for the health of the newborn.
This milk has a lot of strength and nourishment for the
newborn”(IDI, Dai-Saleh Pat, Sukkur)
While some daiyan advise mothers to discard first 2-3 days
milk (Dadu).
Exclusive breastfeeding, however, is not a
general practice and was reported by a very few. The
newborn is given other items:
• Ghutti of honey is given to the newborn to keep her/
him warm and protected from cold. Honey is also
mixed in egg yolk and given to the newborn for the
same purpose
• One tea spoon of desi ghee with sugar mixed in it is
given twice or thrice a day to the newborn so that s/he
sleeps calmly and his/her stomach is cleaned
• Water of anis seeds with cardamom mixed in it is given
so that the newborn can digest mother’s milk
• Till mother has milk to feed the baby, cow’s milk with
anis seeds and cardamom mixed in it are given to the
newborn.
• One teaspoon of goat’s milk is given 4 or 5 times a day
• A herbal medicine bartang is given for pain in stomach
and constipation. Gripe water is also given for pain in
stomach
• Black tea is given for the first three days
• Daiyan advise for giving water to the newborn along
with mother’s milk
• Butter exclusively or mixed with sugar crystals is given
right after birth to clean newborn’s stomach. Butter
is also given for 40 days to provide strength to the
newborn
• One tablespoon of phakki (mixture of grinded herbs) is
given with warm water to make the baby gain weight
• Water with salt and sugar mixed in it is given every
morning and in the evening
• One husband interviewed in-depth in a rural area
(Faizabad) said that the newborn is given olive oil as
the first feed to clean his stomach. Later it is given with
mother’s milk so that his/her stomach stays well
• Honey exclusively or mixed in qehwa is given to the
newborn if s/he has mucous in chest
• Herbs are boiled in water and that water is given to
the newborn for keeping his/her stomach well
• Sutti (a local herb) is given to the newborn so that s/he
is intoxicated and sleeps well at night
38 l Formative Research on Neonatal Sepsis, Low Birth Weight AND Birth Asphyxia